London Oriana Choir

The London Oriana Choir is an amateur choral group comprising around 100 mostly young singers, based in London, UK. It was formed in 1973 by Leon Lovett, who acted as conductor and musical director. David Drummond became the choir's musical director in 1996, and Dominic Peckham began his term as musical director in September 2013. The choir has developed a following through performances at London venues including the Royal Albert Hall, Barbican Centre, Royal Festival Hall at Southbank, St Paul's Cathedral and St Martin-in-the-Fields.

The choir tours regularly and since 2002 has performed in France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, the Netherlands, Portugal, Russia, Spain and Ukraine.

Notable Performances

Under Dominic Peckham

• Classic Quadrophenia, an orchestral and choral version of The Who's Quadrophenia album, released on Deutsche Grammophon in June 2015 and performed at the Royal Albert Hall in July 2015. ^[1]

Under David Drummond

• Missing God, a work by composer Sophie Viney commissioned under the Society for the Promotion of New Music's Adopt a Composer programme, and performed at St Martin-in-the-Fields in 2003 ^[2]
• An invited performance at Mikhail Gorbachev's 80th birthday at the Lebedev residence at Hampton Court Palace near London ^[3]
• Performing with Beth Nielsen Chapman at St Paul's Cathedral for the DVD recording of "If love could say God's name"
• Performing with Robert Plant and his Band of Joy at the BBC Electric Proms in 2010, broadcast live on BBC2 (television) and BBC Radio 2 ^[4]
• Performing concerts composed solely of choral music composed by women to celebrate International Women's Day in 2012 and 2013^[5]
• Performing with Barbra Streisand at the Barbra Live concert series in London, UK at The O2 Arena

Under Leon Lovett

Leon Lovett directed the choir from its inception until 1996. During this time, the choir regularly performed at the Royal Albert Hall, on BBC television and venues around London.

Recordings

• "Nativitie", a Christmas album released in 2012. Includes the premiere recording of Kenneth Leighton's "Nativitie".
• Armstrong Gibbs "Odysseus" recorded with the BBC Concert Orchestra^[6]
• Walford Davies "Everyman" recorded with the Kensington Symphony Orchestra and released in 2008^[7]

External links

• Official website

References

1. Michaels, Sean (2 December 2014). "Pete Townshend announces symphonic reimagining of Quadrophenia". The Guardian (UK) (London). Retrieved 11 June 2015.
2. Partington, Angela (11 March 2003). "One enchanted evening". The Guardian (UK) (London). Retrieved 29 April 2013.
3. "Gorbachev Gala Draws Starry Crowd". Women's Wear Daily. 7 June 2010. Retrieved 4 June 2013.
4. "Robert Plant Headlines Electric Proms". Classic Rock magazine. September 14, 2010. Retrieved 29 April 2013.
5. Maddocks, Fiona (13 March 2011). "Women composers: Notes from the musical margins". Observer (UK) (London). Retrieved 4 June 2013.
6. "Armstrong Gibbs Odysseus". Cecil Armstrong Gibbs "Odysseus" & George Dyson "Four Songs for Sailors", BBC Concert Orchestra and London Oriana Choir. Dutton Vocalion. Retrieved 1 May 2013.
7. Greenfield, Edward (10 December 2004). "Walford Davies: Everyman, Ferrari/ Johnston/ Staples/ Putnins/ London Oriana Choir/ Kensington SO/ Drummond". Guardian (UK). Retrieved 4 June 2013.